from  ^California 


NEWBEGIN 


o 


POEMS  OF  LIFE 

from 

CALIFORNIA 


•BY 

ANNA  B.  NEWBEGIN 


JOHN   J.    NEWBEGIN 

149  Grant  Avenue 
SAN  FRANCISCO,  CAL. 


Copyright  1917 

by 
ANNA  B.  NEWBEGIN 


CONTENTS 

The  Sea  of  Life 

A  Sunset        ....  8 

A  Vision 9 

A  Fancy         ....  10 

Dawn's  Message 11 

A  Wish 12 

Hold  Thy  Peace 13 

Wait       '.  14 

Gray  Days      .        .        .        .        .        .        .  15 

Joy".  16 

Silence 17 

Life's  Tides   .        .        .     '  .        .        .        .  18-19 

Love 20 

Just  for  To-day 21 

Awake,  I  Dream 

Honolulu 23 

Life         ....  24 

Some  Day      ......  25 

How  Shall  I  Know  ?       .      .  26 

A  Father's  Care 27 

The  Desert  Trail   . 

Conquered  Self 

Message  of  the  Flowers        ....  30 

Life's  Ship 31 

A  Prayer        .        .        .        .        .        .        .32 

All's  Well 33 

Her  Vision 34 

Child  of  Love        ...  35 

The  Thought  of  Yesterday  ....  36 

369466 


Understanding 37 

Tis  Love  Divine 38 

The  Coming  Day 39 

Thy  Gift  to  Me 40-41 

Muse  of  the  Ocean 42-43 

Thankfulness .44 

Muir  Woods 45 

My  Father  Knows 46 

Alone 47 

Hope 48 

A  Mountain  Thought 49 

Clouds 50 

Music  of  the  Rain 51 

My  Soul  and  I       .        .        .        .        .        .  52-53 

Solitude .        .54 

Vespers 55 

Unseen 56 

Light       .  57 

Petition   .  58 

My  Shepherd  Leads 59 

Her  Own 60 

Dawn 61 

The  Muse  of  the  Sabbath-Eve  .  62-63 


i 


THE  SEA  OF  LIFE 

NTO  the  open  sea, 
My  boat  glides  fearlessly 
With  rudder  strong,  and  sail, 
Daring  the  breeze  and  gale. 

Waves   carry  my  boat 
Calm,   serenely  afloat; 
Sparkles   sunlight   and   spray 
With  silver  light  ray. 

Breakers  ahead  I  see, 
Clouds  roll  over  to  me, 
A  voice  in  the  wind  I  hear- 
Courage,  and  do  not  fear. 

Waves  of  sorrow   and  joy, 
Laughter  and  tears,   ahoy! 
Far  in  the  distance  I  see 
A  light  shining  for  me. 

Landed  my  boat  and  cast 
Anchor  safe  home  at  last, 
Into  my  harbor  of  rest 
As  the  sun  fades  in  the  west. 


A  SUNSET 

I  HE  ocean  vast  and  wide, 

A  sunset  gold, 

A  bit  of  blue, 

With  somber  red, 

Pale  purple  tinged  with  orange 

To  darkest  gray. 

The  clouds  hang  o'er  my  head 

And  rain  drops  fall, 

The  mystic  beauty  of  the  sea 

Fills  me  with  joy, 

And  peace  and  song. 


Willow-Camp  by  the  Sea. 

8 


A  VISION 

I  WONDER  why  for  me  the  curtain  parts  at  early 
dawn, 

Seeing  the  mystic  beauty  of  a  hope  just  newly 
born. 

When  noon  in  glorious  splendor  shines  upon  my 
weary  sight 

I  long  with  tear-dimmed  eyes  to  see  yon  dis 
tant  gleam  of  light, 

The  evening's  hush  in  fragrance  pure,  brings  to 
my  soul  repose, 

I  see  love's  beauty  folded  in  the  petals  of  a  rose. 


A 


A  FANCY 

DROP  of  dew 
With  sunrise  hue ; 
A  rose-bud  fair 
In  scented  air; 

A  night  in  June 
'Neath  crescent  moon ; 
Feet  light  as  air 
Tread  softly  there; 

A  full  blown  rose — 
A  soft  wind  blows, 
The  petals  fall, 
A  cherub's  call; 

An  angel's  croon 
'Neath  full  round  moon; 
A  rose-bud  fair 
Is  nestling  there. 


10 


DAWN'S  MESSAGE 

I  ILL  in  the  days  with  quiet  thought  and  poise, 
Encircle  well  thy  soul  with  Light  of  Love. 
Be  up  and  doing,  ere  the  dawn  has  passed 
And  morning  clew  still  lingers  on  the  leaves 
Just  kist  in  love's  embrace  by  holy  sleep. 
It  is  the  hour  creating  purest  thought. 
Greet  thou  the  golden  sun  in  tinted  east, 
His  golden  beauty  rich  and  free  to  all, 
Reach  out  and  glean  rich  thought,  pure  thought 

and  kind, 

Drink  in  the  freshness,  pureness  of  His  mind. 
Send  out  upon  the  air  a  plea  for  souls 
Who  need  a  loving,  tender,  thoughtful  prayer, 
So  blend  thy  will  with  His,  O !  child  of  love, 
And  place  thy  all  beneath  a  Father's  care. 


11 


.  A  WISH 

buried  in  my  soul  a  wish  did  lie, 
A  shadow  from  a  cloud  that  had  passed  by ; 
The  nights  were  long,  and  drear  each  passing 

day — 

Unheeding  ears  heard  not  the  song-bird's  lay. 
One  day  Love  smiled  on  me ;  then,  passing  by, 
He  left  a  trail  of  light  from  earth  to  sky; 
And  now  I  hold  my  wish  with  sacred  care, 
Knowing  my  soul  shall  find  its  joy  somewhere. 


12 


H 


HOLD  THY  PEACE 

OLD  thy  peace  when  tried  and  tempted ; 

Words  of  wisdom  fall  like  dew 
On  the  ground  where  seeds  are  planted, 

Bearing  flowers  of  heavenly  hue. 

Hold  thy  peace  when  round  thee,  seeming 
Hangs  a  mist  of  thought  and  fear ; 

Sunlight  thru  the  clouds  are  gleaming, 
Fleeting  fast  all  sigh  and  tear. 

Hold  thy  peace  in  loving  silence  : 
Sing  life's  song  in  tones  unheard ; 

Wing  thy  soul  in  hours  of  patience, 
With  the  freedom  of  a  bird. 


13 


WAIT 

TT7 AIT — In  the  passing  throng, 

Wait — By  the  cool  sea  breeze, 
Wait — In  the  vale  of  tears. 

Wait — Beneath  whispering  trees. 

Wait — With  song  in  thy  soul, 
Wait — In  the  dawn  of  day, 

Wait — In  the  noontide's  glare. 
Wait — On  the  world's  highway. 

Wait — When  the  sun  goes  down. 

Wait — In  the  afterglow, 
Wait — When  the  shadows  fall, 

Wait — When  the  night  winds  blow 

Wait — Till  the  Master  calls, 
Wait — The  new  dawn  of  day, 

Wait — For  the  angel's  song 
Sung  on  the  world's  highway. 

Wait — Till  the  curtain  parts, 
Wait — When  thy  glad  eyes  see 

Lights  on  the  shores  of  time 
Peace  ever  more  shall  be. 


14 


GRAY  DAYS 

T  LOVE  those  dear,  gray  days,  those  rain-kissed 
*  days, 

Their    lowering    clouds,    their    fragrant,    warm 

south  breath, 
The  wind-turned  leaves  of  light  and  shade  and 

storm ; 

To  hear  the  music  of  the  rain-drops  fall 
On  shingled  roofs  of  attics  where  the  boughs 
O'er-hanging  blend  their  harmony  subdued 
Or  swell  into  a  hymn,  a  cadence  rare 
With  minor  notes,  that  sob  and  sigh  thru  trees. 
My  soul  echoes  the  wildness  of  the  strain 
And  mingles  with  the  freedom  of  the  song. 
The  fire  burns  low,  the  coals  portray  a  scene 
While  memory  lingers  'round  the  forms  so  dear 
That  live  thru  gray,  and  cloud,  and  wind  and 

rain. 
O !  dear,  gray  days  of  storm,  I  love  them  all. 


15 


B 


JOY 

REAK  forth  my  soul  in  glad  refrain, 
Let  joy  and  gladness  o'er  thee  reign, 
Lift  up  thy  voice  to  yon  fair  sky, 
Let  memory's  sunlight  on  thee  lie. 
Thy  legend  voice  in  silver  tones. 
Sings  melodies  from  distant  zones, 
The  unheard  music  of  the  soul 
Wing  thee  to  thy  eternal  goal. 


16 


SILENCE 

ILENCE  lives  in  depths  unheard 
To  the  hurried  passer  by, 
Gleaning  knowledge  from  the  deep 
Where  the  priceless  treasures  lie. 

Silence  speaks  in  voice  sublime, 
Mellowed  by  the  spirit  power, 
Breathing  fragrance  from  above 
As  the  dewdrop  from  the  flower. 

Silence  weighs  each  thought  with  care 
As  so  many  grains  of  gold, 
Knowing  well  the  soul  will  grow 
And  each  petal  rich  unfold 

In  the  stillness  of  His  love, 
In  the  turmoil  of  the  street, 
In  the  great  highway  of  life 
Where  the  souls  of  men  do  meet. 


17 


LIFE'S  TIDES 

/TAHE  surging  tides  of  weal  and  woe, 
•*•     That  lap  the  shore  with  noisy  tread, 
They  break  in  cadence  sweet  and  low, 
Tuneful  with  laughter  as  they  go. 

Some  make  a  fearless,  tempest  dart, 
And  beat  the  rocks  in  passion  wild 
As  if  to  ease  an  aching  heart 
And  sobbing  on  the  shore  depart. 

Others  with  tempered  soothing  might, 
Roll  in  and  out  with  measured  tread. 
The  spray  is  sun-tipped,  warm  and  bright, 
Leaving  the  sands  a  trail  of  light. 


18 


So  'tis  with  life,  our  life;  we  reap 
The  thoughts  that,  restless,  come  and  go, 
Some  sweep  us  out  into  the  deep 
While  others  lull  our  souls  to  sleep. 

O  tides,  roll  high,  or  low,  and  cast 
Upon  our  rocks  your  passion  wild, 
'Neath  sunlit  sky,  or  tempest  blast 
We  will  our  haven  find  at  last. 


19 


LOVE 

DEDICATED  TO 
ALBERT  AND  VICTORIA  VANDER  NAILLEN 

ON  THIS,  THE 

SIXTIETH  ANNIVERSARY  OF  THEIR  WEDDING  DAY, 
OCTOBER   K)TH,   1917. 


OVE  stands  waiting  with  open  arms, 
Love  that  shields  from  vain  alarms, 
Love  unbought,  'tis  priceless  pure — 
Love,  life's  changes  to  endure. 
Love,  that  spans  the  flood  of  tears, 
Smiles  and  joys  of  passing  years — 
Love  that  merges  all  life's  past, 
Breathes  thru  the  soul  and  holds  love  fast. 


20 


JUST  FOR  TO-DAY 

JUST  for  to-day 
**  I  trust  and  pray. 
To-morrow's  care 
I  will  not  bear. 
On  wings  of  love 
They  soar  above, 
And  in  their  flight 
Fades  darkest  night. 
Just  for  to-day 
I  trust  and  pray. 


21 


T 


AWAKE,  I  DREAM 

HE  sunset  fades  in  tinted  west, 
Gray  shadows  veil  the  distant  crest ; 
A  quiet  nook  by  rippling  stream, 
My  resting-place  awake,  I  dream. 

I  would  that  now  my  weary  soul 
Might  rest  as  shadows  o'er  me  roll ; 
And  wait  to  see  my  love-star  gleam 
On  me  alone — awake,  I  dream. 


22 


HONOLULU 

rLORIOUS  splendor  of  western  sky, 
Just  as  the  sun  dips  into  the  sea, 
Crimson  and  gold  o'er  Diamond  Head  lie 

Casting  a  halo  o'er  palm  and  tree, 
Tint  from  the  east,  and  glow  from  the  west, 
Nature  is  lulling  her  children  to  rest. 


23 


LIFE 

IFE  is  a  dew-drop 
-*     Sent  from  above, 
Borne  by  a  spirit 
On  wings  of  love. 

Life  is  a  meadow 

Where  wild  flowers  grow, 
Fragrance  and  beauty 

For  earth  below. 

Life  is  a  changing 

From  green  to  brown, 

When  leaves  and  snowflakes 
Fall  gently  down. 

Life  is  a  dream  song 
Borne  on  the  breeze ; 

Life  is  a  sob, 

The  music  of  leaves. 

Life  is  the  universe, 

Law  the  rod ; 
Life  is  the  soul 

Winging  on  to  God. 


24 


SOME  DAY 

iOME  day  for  us,  when  tear  and  sigh 
Have  melted  into  sun  and  dew, 
The  shadow  that  now  dims  our  sky 
A  rainbow  mist  of  every  hue, 
Shall  sweep  that  cloud  o'ercharged  with  fears, 
And  Love  shall  make  surcease  of  tears. 


25 


HOW  SHALL  I  KNOW? 

TT  OW  shall  I  know  that  Thou  art  near, 
A  A      To  guide  my  steps,  and  hear  Thy  voice 
That  quells  life's  tempest  in  my  soul, 
And  bids  my  heart  rejoice? 

I  wait  Thy  call,  it  matters  not 

What  path  I  tread,  how  rough  the  way, 

In  valley  or  on  hillside  steep, 
Or  chill  the  winter  day. 

Oh !  give  me  light,  clear,  pure  and  bright, 
Thru  darkest  hour  and  perfect  day, 

That  I  sink  not  upon  the  sands 
And  lose  my  way — Thy  way. 


26 


A  FATHER'S  CARE 

I  HE  Father  holds  thy  hand  and  guides  thy  steps, 
Upon  thy  brow  the  seal  of  peace  doth  place, 
It  matters  not  what  clouds  roll  o'er  thy  head— 
Their  darkness  hideth  not  from  thee  His  face. 

The  shower  of  cleansing  falleth  from  a  hand 
That  guides  the  countless  steps  of  those  that 
roam, 

For  each  holds  that  within  himself  that  claims 
A  Father's  care,  until  He  calls  us  home. 


27 


THE  DESERT  TRAIL 

LTER  path  lies  through  the  desert.  Hot  and  dry  is 
*  *  the  sand  that  glistens  in  the  sun,  and  she  treads 
wearily.  In  her  hand  she  holds  an  earthen  vessel 
filled  with  water.  As  she  passes  many  ask  for  a 
draught;  she  refuses  none.  Soon  tiny  blades  of 
grass  appear.  Here  and  there  blooms  a  flower 
whose  fragrance  breathes  gratitude;  now  the 
shade  trees  cool  the  way,  and  in  the  distance  she 
hears  the  singing  stream. 

Her  feet  have  lost  their  weariness.  The  vessel 
she  carries  is  of  gold,  and  the  sunlight  playing 
upon  it,  reflects  far,  far  back  upon  the  desert  trail. 


28 


o 


CONQUERED  SELF 

FATE!  unfathomed  shadow  of  the  soul, 

That  blinds   and   warps   and   mars   the   perfect 

whole, 
That    rends    and    t\vists    our    best   and    noblest 

thought, 
And  breaks  the  charm  that  kindly  deeds  have 

wrought ! 

Fate  looks  with  brooding  on  a  misty  past 
And  sees  the  iron  chain  of  fear  hold  fast, 
Nor  views  in  tinted  east  a  golden  sun 
A  herald  in  the  west,  when  day  is  done. 
Fate  sees  no  clouds  of  beauty  in  our  sky 
Or  rainbow  tints  that  in  the  rain-drops  lie, 
His  steely  hand  he  places  on  my  brow 
In  fancy  chill  I  hear  him  say:   "  'Tis  now." 
"Not  so,"  my  soul  doth  say,  "I  live  to-day," 
And  link  my  hand  in  his,  for  life  holds  sway. 
A  newer  name  I  give,  'tis  Love  Divine 
And  in  those  somber  eyes  new  light  shall  shine, 
As  step  by  step  together  we  shall  take, 
And  slumbering  silence  into  song  shall  break, 
Vibrating  down  thru  all  the  coming  years, 
A  clarion  note  that  shall  dispel  all  fears, 
For  Love  Divine  shall  sweep  false  fate  aside 
And  conquered  self  in  perfect  Love  abide. 


29 


MESSAGE  OF  THE  FLOWERS 

ATHER  the  flowers  from  nature's  green, 
Blossoming  buds  of  golden  sheen, 
Breathe  in  their  message,  'tis  life,  'tis  love 
Pure  from  a  royal  hand  above. 

Gather  the  flowers  from  nature's  soul 
Fragrance  that  makes  the  sick  one  whole, 
Breathe  in  their  song,  'tis  life,  'tis  love, 
Harmony  echoing  from  above. 

Gather  the  flowers  from  every  soul, 
Petals  of  light  to  reach  yon  goal, 
Breathe  in  their  life,  'tis  light,  'tis  love, 
Messages  winging  from  above. 

Gather  the  flowers,  the  loved  ones  say, 
Dream  buds  at  twilight,  or  dawn  of  day, 
Breathe  in  their  calm,  'tis  life,  'tis  love 
Blending  thy  earth  with  heaven  above. 


30 


R 


LIFE'S  SHIP 

EACH  out  to  souls  far,  far  at  sea, 
Reach  out  to  all  who  loveth  thee, 
Reach  out  in  thought  and  word  and  deed. 
Reach  out  to  Him  who  knows  thy  need. 

Think  not  upon  a  misty  past 
Thy  ship  is  coming  home  at  last, 
From  every  port  it  scarce  can  hold 
A  cargo  fraught  with  purest  gold. 

Love  laughs  at  mountains,  lands  and  seas 
Thy  ship  has  stood  the  storm  and  breeze, 
With  full  blown  sail,  and  beaten  mast 
Thy  ship  is  coming  home  at  last. 


A  PRAYER 

KEEP  me  humble,  O !  my  Father, 
At  Thy  footstool,  lo,  I  kneel ; 
Give  me  but  Thy  benediction, 
Peace  and  quiet  o'er  me  steal. 

Keep  me  humble,  patient,  loving, 
Shadows  gather  as  the  night. 

Guide  my  feet ;  T  may  not  stumble, 
Choose  my  path  to  see  the  light. 

Nature's  tears  are  quiet  falling. 
Stillness  reigns  o'er  bird  and  leaf, 

Let  the  raindrops  of  Thy  mercy 
Wash  away  my  unbelief. 

Keep  me,  guide  me,  lead  me,  Father ; 

Star  of  Hope  shine  on  my  way, 
For  my  soul  is  weary,  tired 

At  the  closing  of  the  day. 

Place  Thy  loving  arms  around  me, 
That  my  feet  no  more  shall  roam, 

Ah !  I  fear  not,  for  before  me 

Shines  a  light,  my  heaven,  my  home. 


32 


ALL'S  WELL 

TI7HATEVER  comes  is  best — 'tis  the  true  way 
*  *     That  we  should  meet  the  hours  in  faith  and  say : 
"What's  mine  no  one  can  keep  or  take  away. 
I'll  give  the  best  in  song,  in  joy,  or  pain 
And  leave  all  else  without  a  thought  of  gain." 
When  twilight  falls,  and  rest  is  mine  with  care, 
My  soul  can  say:   "All's  well,  here,  everywhere." 


33 


HER  VISION 

OHE  stood  before  a  door!  Many  times  had  this 
^  vision  been  before  her,  now  she  stood  before  the 
door.  What  did  it  mean?  Just  a  door,  with 
neither  knob  nor  hinge.  If  she  opened,  what 
should  it  reveal  to  her;  if  she  turned  away,  what 
would  be  her  loss  ? 

As  she  hesitated,  around  her  strange  thoughts 
came  crowding ;  then  a  whisper,  "Open."  As  she 
put  forth  her  hand  the  door  slowly  widened,  and 
to  her  was  revealed  one  perfect  moment  of  time, 
breathing  the  one  word  "Freedom."  Her  soul 
asked,  "Freedom  from  what?"  and  the  voice 
answered,  "Freedom  from  thyself." 

"When  thou  hast  freed  self,  then  thou  hast 
found  God,  and  all  things  shall  be  to  thee  as  this 
perfect  moment  of  time." 


34 


CHILD  OF  LOVE 

of  love,  look  up  and  see 
Divine  still  guiding  thee, 
Climb  the  pathway  steep  and  drear. 
Trust  His  love  and  hold  no  fear. 

Each  his  path  in  life  must  tread, 
Though  the  sun's  bright  rays  have  fled, 
Knowest  thou  not  no  darkness  hides 
Light  Divine,  where  love  abides? 

Hold  within  thy  trembling  soul 
Thoughts  that  wing  to  freedom's  goal, 
Place  thy  all  within  His  care : 
And  find  thy  heaven  everywhere. 


35 


THE  THOUGHT  OF  YESTERDAY 

f  KNOW  not  why  for  me  the  sun's  bright  ray 
A  In  gladness  shines  o'er  all  my  heaven  on  earth 
And  fills  my  longing  soul  with  joy  and  mirth. 
Unless  it  be  the  thought  of  yesterday. 

For  me  the  red  rose  blooms  at  dawn  of  day, 
Each  petal  kissed  by  teardrops  of  the  night, 
Filling  my  soul  with  visions  of  delight ; 
Oh !  'tis  the  love,  the  love  of  yesterday. 


36 


H 


UNDERSTANDING 

ERE  in  the  shade  of  ignorance  we  grope 
Until  the  light  of  truth  our  souls  shall  see. 
The  night  is  o'er,  and  morn  bursts  on  our  sight. 
We  see  life's  shadows  cleared,  fears  fled  away, 
And  we  are  filled  with  thoughts  and  deeds  of  love 
For  those  who  still  are  groping  in  the  night 
To  find  thru  smiles  and  tears,  their  faith  in  Thee. 
The  noon-day  sheds  its  burning  rays  on  all 
That  eager  climb  life's  upward,  winding  path  ; 
We  may  not  linger  by  the  cooling  stream 
But  quench  our  thirst  and  onward  go,  for  we 
Must  reach  the  summit  ere  the  twilight  falls. 
So  may  we  pass  into  a  sunset  clear 
And  find,  oh !  Light  of  Love,  our  peace  in  Thee. 


37 


'TIS  LOVE  DIVINE 

IS  Love  Divine,  we  sing  this  Easter  day, 
The  Light  has  risen,  triumphant  over  all. 
The  cross  He  bore,  no  debt  He  left  unpaid. 
Think  not  of  blood  and  tears  and  agony, 
Pray  not  of  darkness,  misery  divine, 
Lift  up  your  thought  above  the  countless  years, 
Nail  Him  no  more  upon  the  cross  of  shame. 
Sing  out  into  the  world  a  glad  new  song : 
"He's  here,  our  risen  Lord,  our  Christ!" 
Give  forth  unto  the  universe  a  prayer : 
"He  is  our  King." 


38 


B 


THE  COMING  DAY 

LESS  Thou  the  coming  day,  the  month,  the  year. 
Dispel  each  doubting  thought  and  lingering  fear, 
Submerge  my  will  with  Thine :  so  shall  I  be 
A  child  in  love  and  peace  with  man,  and  Thee, 
That  I  may  greet  the  dawn  each  morn  and  say. 
Show  me  my  work,  my  path,  just  for  to-day. 


39 


THY  GIFT  TO  ME 

TX/"HAT  woulclst  thou,  child,  that  I  bestow  on  thee? 
This  is  a  time  when  gifts  pour  from  the  hands 

and  hearts 

Of  those  who  love  and  in  return  are  loved 
For  deeds  of  kindness  and  good-will. 
Perchance  a  selfish  thought, 

o  • 

Not  knowing  that  the  law  gives  back  its  own. 
Make  thy  request !  Hast  thou  no  secret  wish, 
No  long  and  cherished  dream,  a  castle  built  in 

fancy  beautiful  and  wild 
O'erlooking  with  an  eye  of  love  a  sea  of  blue  and 

gold— 
A  picture  that  hath  framed  itself  upon  a  foreign 

shore, 
Where  azure  skies  reflect  a  sun  in  crimson  and 

pearl  tints? 
No?  Then  a   longing  for  a  hand  that  ne'er  hath 

touched  thy  brow 
In  joy  or  pain,  or  eyes  that  looked  not  on  thee 

when  a  child, 

Or  spake  and  gave  thee  counsel  mild  ? 
Art  silent  still !  speak,  for  time  flies — 
She  waits  not,  for  the  sun  doth  rise  and  set  with 

measured  rhyme. 


40 


0  Thou  Supreme !    Since  thought  can  trace. 
From  childhood  on  through  years,  dreams  I  have 

dreamed 
And  castles  built,  and  laughed  and  mourned,  and 

wished  and  wept, 

Until  the  veils  have  lifted  one  by  one, 
And  for  a  while  have  stood  within  a  point  of 

time — 
A  moment's  space.     All — all  has  passed. 

1  ask  that  unto  me  be  shown  Thy  way. 

That  I  Thy  will  may  understand.  Thy  law  fulfill, 
May  give  to  others  thoughts  made  pure  by  love 

divine 
That  Thou  hast  given  to  me. 


41 


o 


MUSE  OF  THE  OCEAN 

MUSE,  come  follow  the  crestlines 
Of  breakers  that  beat  about  me, 
Follow  the  wide,  heaving  ocean 
The  measureless,  fathomless  sea. 

Thy  wings  as  daring  as  eagles, 
That  hover  o'er  billowy  sea, 

O,  find  the  voice  of  the  silence, 
Her  love  tone,  and  teach  it  to  me. 

Weary  I  wonder  if  ever 

Mv  soul  like  the  ocean  shall  roll 

^ 

Its  waves  of  resistless  longing 
To  see  but  a  glint  of  the  goal. 

To  dive  into  depths  for  a  pearl. 
To  wrest  from  the  waves  of  the  sea 

A  secret,  and  find  mid  the  ocean 
A  beacon  light  shining  for  me. 

O,  Muse,  thou  shalt  guide  me  onward 
To  follow  the  song  of  life's  sea, 

Hold  thou  the  one  note  of  freedom 
And  whisper  its  love  tone  to  me. 


42 


My  soul  is  eager  and  wistful, 

And  fain  would  I  barken  to  thee, 

A  glimpse  to  see  in  the  distance 
The  harbor  of  life  waiting  me. 

Ah!  I  shall  sing  in  my  longing, 
Hearing  the  love  in  my  song, 

Held  by  the  Muse  of  the  ocean 
As  silent  my  barque  floats  along. 


Carmel  by  the  Sea. 

43 


THANKFULNESS 

A  WAVE  of  thankfulness  sweeps  o'er  my  soul 
*  *•  Not  for  to-day,  but  for  all  past,  for  storms, 
And  calm,  for  joy  and  sorrow,  bitter  tears 
And  smiles.    The  rod  of  love  gave  me  my  own. 
Sometimes  we  plod  along  in  life  as  though 
A  veil  that,  covering,  keeps  us  close  to  Thee. 
We  know  it  not,  nor  see  the  sunlight  fall 
Nor  do  we  pause  to  think  if  all  is  well. 
The  light  of  understanding  clears  the  mist 
For  those  whose  hearts  are  true  and  trust   in 

Thee, 

And  with  that  faith  there  comes  a  greater  light, 
Then  from  the  soul  within  bursts  forth  a  song. 


44 


MUIR  WOODS 

kALL  trees  whisper  to  each  other: 
'Nature's  God  loves  us,  oh,  brother. 
Pours  on  us  the  golden  sun 
As  each  day  its  course  is  run, 
Covers  us  when  shadows  fall, 
Drops  His  mantle  o'er  us  all. 
Gives  us  wind  and  tempest  blast 
But  our  roots  hold  hard  and  fast. 
We  are  tempered  by  His  care 
For  in  nature  all  is  fair, 
Lo,  His  love  encircles  all, 
We  must  harken  to  His  call, 
Hear  love's  harmony  that  weaves 
Peace  and  rest  'neath  falling-  leaves. 
Evening  sky  of  blue  o'erhead, 
Moss  and  leaves  are  nature's  bed." 
Tall  trees  whisper  to  each  other: 
"Nature's  God  loves  us,  oh,  brother." 


ir  Woods. 


45 


MY  FATHER  KNOWS 

"I\yfY  Father  knows  each  seeming  care, 
•*•*•••  They  crowd  around  when  skies  are  fair, 
He  breathes  his  love  on  every  one 
They  fade  as  cloth  the  setting  sun — 
My  Father  knows. 

My  Father  knows  no  ill  or  strife, 
Can  enter  on  love's  path  of  life. 
Where  all  is  peaceful,  calm  and  fair 
For  He  is  love,  love  soothes  all  care. 
My  Father  knows. 

My  Father  knows  whate'er  betide 
Hope's  angel  walks  close  by  my  side 
To  guard  and  keep  me  day  by  day 
Lest  I  should  faint,  lest  I  should  stray — 
My  Father  knows. 

My  Father  knows  and  claims  His  own, 
For  I  am  His  and  His  alone, 
I  lift  mine  eyes,  a  beacon  star 
Lights  my  lone  way,  to  joys  afar. 
My  Father  knows. 


46 


ALONE 

SHE  held  in  her  arms  a  soul,  hers.  Around  it  she 
wove  beautiful  dreams,  living  dreams,  waking- 
dreams.  As  it  grew  it  slipped  from  her  grasp. 
Then  she  builded  a  temple  and  placed  it  there, 
and  in  that  temple  the  angel  of  music  sang  his 
glad  song. 

After  a  time  that  soul  drew  to  itself  a  mate, 
and  she  watched  with  vision  clear  as  a  shadow 
which  rested  upon  all  that  was  good.  And  the 
shadow  grewr,  and  grew  until  the  seeming  real 
ity  became  dim,  then  vanished  as  they  both 
passed  on  in  their  evolution.  And  to  her 
was  given  divine  understanding, — that  she  was 
alone — alone. 


47 


HOPE 

TLTOPE  watches  when  all  slumbers  by  the  way, 
A  •*•      Creates  her  thought  in  solitude,  alone, 

She  burns  the  oil  that  keeps  her  star  aflame 
To  guide  the  weary  wanderer  to  his  own. 

Hope  has  a  faith  thru  darkest  night  and  chill. 

She  moves  the  mountain  of  distrust  and  fear, 
That  we  may  see  her  mystic  gleam  of  light 

As  rainbow  tints  shine  thru  the  falling  tear. 

She  sings  her  song  with  eyes  turned  to  the  east, 
And  breathes  anew,  new  life  with  dawn  of  day, 

She  croons  her  lullaby  into  the  west, 

Life's  vesper  hymn  to  each  departing  ray. 

Oh,  hope !  glad  hope,  I  hold  thee  close  to  me ; 

Thou  art  my  spirit  child  to  light  my  way, 
Sing  thy  glad  song  into  my  listening  ear 

And  guide  me  into  love's  most  perfect  day. 


48 


o 


A  MOUNTAIN  THOUGHT 

VER  the  mountain,  over  the  sea, 
Down  in  the  lowland,  wherever  you  be, 
Think  to  be  kindly,  happy  and  good, 
See  naught  but  beauty  in  plain,  and  in  wood. 
Drink  not  from  a  vessel  that  holdeth  fear — 
The  draught  will  be  bitter,  thy  lesson  dear— 
So  be  fearless  to  do,  and  act,  and  dare — 
To  see  only  the  good  here,  everywhere. 


Howell  Mt. 

49 


CLOUDS 

"|\/f  EETING  and  parting,  dark  hosts  of  the  east, 
•*''*•  Guests  of  the  universe  garbed  for  a  feast; 
Trailing  your  somber  robes,  winging  along, 
Greeting  the  earth  with  your  tears  and  your  song. 
Robe  of  the  firmament,  cloak  of  the  night 
Wrapped  in  your  folds  is  a  lining  of  light, 
Freeing  the  shadows  in  glorious  morn, 
Forgetting  the  murk  in  the  joy  of  the  dawn. 
Rift  in  your  song-heaven,  fragment  of  blue, 
The  glint  of  an  angel's  eye  smiling  on  you. 
Beautiful  concourse  passing  thru  flame 
Of  a  sun  that  ne'er  sets,  bathed  in  glory  and  fame. 
Cloak  with  the  silver  sheen,  mantle  of  gray, 
Bearing  a  message  sunkissed  on  your  way. 


so 


MUSIC  OF  THE  RAIN 

T  KNOW  not  why  my  heart  is  sad 
•*•        And  sighs  my  soul  in  sad  refrain ; 
The  sunlight  fails  to  make  me  glad, 
I  wait  the  music  of  the  rain ; 

And  watch  the  clouds  flit  o'er  the  sky, 
A  southern  wind  blows  soft  and  free, 

The  bending  boughs,  the  leaves  that  fly 
Sing  their  love  harmony  to  me. 

Ah!  me,  I  love  the  falling  rain, 

Its  fragrance  soothes  my  aching  heart, 

Its  music  takes  away  the  pain, 

Love's  arrow  with  a  healing  dart. 


51 


M 


MY  SOUL  AND  I 

Y  soul  and  I  dwell  all  alone, 
In  haunt  that  to  the  passer  by 

Is  never  seen,  to  crowds  unknown 
This  sacred  spot,  my  soul  and  I. 

'Tis  dimly  lighted  as  morn  breaks, 
The  sun's  rays  flit  across  the  sky, 

And  shadows  flee  as  hope  awakes 
To  greet  in  love,  my  soul  and  I. 

No  trees  of  giant  structure  stand 
To  guard  from  tempest  passing  by, 

But  tiny  leaves  from  nature's  hand 
That  we  may  grow,  my  soul  and  I. 

And  here  and  there  we  pluck  a  flower 
Whose  fragrance  breathes  a  happy  sigh 

And  life  is  glad  for  one  short  hour. 
That  we  may  live,  my  soul  and  I. 


52 


God's  meadow  lark  trills  now  and  then 
A  rippling  note  as  winging  high, 

The  echo  wafts  o'er  glade  and  glen 
That  we  may  sing,  my  soul  and  I. 

No  fear  pervades  this  haunt  of  rest, 
No  darkness  covers  our  fair  sky, 

We  know  the  path,  we  know  it  best. 
This  sacred  spot,  my  soul  and  I. 


53 


SOLITUDE 

O  ye  out  upon  the  hills,  alone,  that  the  breezes 
may  blow  upon  thee.  Seek  comfort  in  the  still 
places  where  the  grasses  kiss  thy  feet.  Fondle 
the  wild  flowers — earth's  little  children  sent  to 
gladden  the  soul  of  the  passer  by.  Let  the  sun 
rest  upon  thy  cheek  and  forget  not  to  watch  for 
the  first  blink  of  the  stars. 


Inspiration   Point,   Mill   Valley. 

54 


VESPERS 

LADNESS  o'er  thy  soul  is  stealing, 
Silver  tones  of  joy  are  pealing, 
Ringing  softly,  peaceful,  fair, 
Blending  with  the  mellowed  air. 

Rest  in  love,  my  tired  one  sleeping, 
Angels  watch  are  ever  keeping, 
Bid  thee  wake  with  morning  light 
From  the  hushes  of  the  night. 

Greet  the  dawn  with  holy  whiteness, 
Echoes  night  her  step  of  lightness, 
Hilltop  breathes  a  glad,  new  day, 
Welcoming  each  golden  ray. 

Quietness  o'er  thy  soul  is  stealing, 
Vespers  far-off  strains  are  pealing, 
Melts  the  day  in  purple  west, 
Blue  and  gold  have  gone  to  rest. 


55 


UNSEEN 

LOWERS  bloom  on  either  side  of  the  narrow 
path  where  only  one  may  walk.  Beautiful  flowers, 
flowers  laden  with  the  fragrance  of  peace.  Canst 
them  not  feel  their  mystic  touch  as  thou  passest 
by,  and  dost  thou  not  hear  their  whisperings  to 
thee  in  the  stillness  of  the  morning;  or  feel  their 
breath  upon  thy  brow  in  the  beat  of  the  noon-day 
sun,  and  carest  thou  not  to  watch  in  the  after 
glow,  and  listen  with  them  to  what  the  stars  tell  ? 


56 


LIGHT 

END  it  forth,  O  Holy  Spirit! 

Let  it  shine  on  each  blind  soul. 
Light  of  Love,  show  us  our  pathway 
Light  that  makes  the  sick  one  whole. 

Light  that  gives  us  understanding. 
Light  that  turns  night  into  day, 

Light  that  shows  the  path  of  duty, 
Howe'er  rugged  be  the  way. 

Seek  your  path,  tread  not  another's. 
Earthly  fame  counts  naught  but  dross, 

Seek  for  gold  beneath  the  surface, 
Head  erect,  take  up  thy  cross. 

Take  it  up  when  eyes  are  brimming. 
And  your  tears  like  pearls  do  flow ; 

You  will  find  the  burden  lighter 
Than  the  dross  of  earth  below. 


57 


o 


PETITION 

FATHER,  breathe  Thy  love  o'er  land  and  sea 
And  lead   Thy  wandering  child  safe  home  to 

Thee; 

Be  near  when  life  is  joy  and  sky  is  clear, 
When  evening's  vesper  song  in  peace  I  hear ; 
Guide  me  when  not  a  rift  in  cloud  appears, 
Thy  voice  shall  quell  the  storm,  and  calm  my 

fears. 


58 


M 


MY  SHEPHERD  LEADS 

Y  shepherd  leads,  I  fear  no  ill, 
By  day  or  night  He  guards  me  still, 
In  pastures  green  He  leadeth  me. 
His  child  forever  more  to  be. 

His  spirit  guides ;  so  shall  I  know 
His  will  be  done  on  earth  below, 
To  place  my  all  within  His  care 
And  feel  His  presence  everywhere. 

Yea,  as  I  tread  this  path  of  life 
In  peace,  or  turmoil,  calm  or  strife, 
Thy  rod  and  staff  shall  comfort  me 
As  rocks  my  barque  on  stormy  sea.  ' 

Then  I  shall  trace  His  guiding  hand 
Thru  all  I  could  not  understand, 
My  soul  with  joy  the  loved  ones  greet 
Around  the  Father's  mercv  seat. 


59 


HER  OWN 


-UST   a   little   gem,   born   'neath   dawn   so   fair, 
Eyes  of  sapphire  blue,  mesh  of  downy  hair, 
Tiny  rose-bud  mouth,  pure  as  morning  dew. 
Little  soul  of  love,  nestling  close  to  you. 


60 


A 


DAWN 

ROSE  of  radiant  splendor 

Looked  up  to  the  dawn  of  day — 
Petals  of  beauty  dew-laden, 

Kissed  by  the  sun's  pale  ray. 

I  saw  a  face  that  was  dearer 

Than  all  beneath  heaven's  own  blue, 

With  lips  more  perfect  than  petals 
Kissed  by  a  lover  so  true, 
'Twas  you — 'twas  you. 


61 


THE  MUSE  OF  THE  SABBATH-EVE. 

pHE  Muse  of  the  Sabbath-eve  enters  my  soul, 
A        As  evening  her  mantle  of  twilight  and  gray 
Enfolds  me  in  dreamland,  and  soft  zephyrs  play 
Their  minor  notes   humming  the  closing  of 
day. 

I  list  to  the  silence  of  thoughts  on  the  wing, 

To  far  distant  lands  robed  in  purple  and  blue, 
And  breathe  a  pure  fragrance  of  wild  flowers 

that  grew 

'Neath  a  sky  filled  with  clouds  of  harmonious 
hue. 

The  far  distant  echo  of  birds  in  their  nest, 
And  murmur  of  bees  stilled  by  shadows  that 

call, 
As  the  leaves  of  the  woodland  in  hush  rise  and 

fall, 
My  spirit  is  held  in  the  Muse's  still  thrall. 


62 


It  carries  me  far  over  billow  and  foam, 

Over  mountain  and  stream,  flowing  on  to  the 

sea 
As  the  wood-winds  are  winging  their  message 

to  me 
From  a  clime  where  the  soul  longs  ever  to  be. 

I  listen  and  wait  for  the  evening's  love  song, 
.  To  hear  but  a  note  from  its  murmuring  lay 
Of  a  vesper  that  sings  in  the  far,  far  away 
A  liquid  amen  to  the  closing  of  day. 


Inspiration  Point,  Mill  Valley. 


63 


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